Premium Mexico City to Oaxaca

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Mexico City, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Meet your group and local leader at a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Your hotel in Mexico City is housed in a building built in the 1890s and is set in a prime location. The buzzing Zocalo Plaza and the National Cathedral are right on your doorstep, and you can see views from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar. After your meeting, head to a few local taquerias and a classic cantina to try some authentic tacos, botanas (snacks) and drinks, giving you your first glimpse of the city’s rich culinary culture and passing some iconic landmarks along the way.

Today, you’ll get to know Mexico City on a tour with your knowledgeable local leader. From cosmopolitan glamour to ancient history, there’s a lot to see, so rise bright and early and head out to the National Museum of Anthropology, where your leader will take you to the most interesting rooms so you can walk through the different stages of the country’s past. Continue to the Zocalo Plaza, the lively main square of the city. Visit the National Cathedral to hear its story and see the impressive Baroque architecture, then stop at Diego Riviera Museo Mural where you can appreciate one of his most famous works. Tonight is free for you to seek out some delicious food – your leader will have the best local recommendations.

Depart Mexico City and travel to Teotihuacan. Here, you'll discover the extraordinary ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, which dominate the skyline. This was once the biggest city in the Americas and predates the Aztec Empire by many centuries. Join an expert local guide and stroll down The Avenue of the Dead to see fascinating clues as to what life here was like nearly 2000 years ago. After lunch, continue to Puebla. Make a stop on the way to visit a local family who produce beautiful stonework carved form obsidian – a naturally occurring volcanic glass-like rock. Take some time to admire their striking creations and speak to the family about their craft. Arrive in Puebla and set out for a walk around town, visiting Calle de los Dulces (Candy Street) and the El Parian handicraft market. See the Rosary Chapel and Town Hall Palace, then have dinner at Casa Reyna – a local restaurant known for its traditional regional cuisine and warm atmosphere, giving you an authentic taste of Puebla’s vibrant culinary heritage. You’ll spend the next two nights at your Feature Stay, located just a stone’s throw away from the city centre. Fitted with modern amenities, this hotel retains the traditional charm of the converted 16th, 17th and 18th-century buildings it’s housed in.

After breakfast, get to know Cholula, a city close to Puebla, by joining your leader on an orientation walk. As Cholula has the most churches in Mexico, you’ll stop at a few on your journey, like Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios, located on the top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Walk to the church overlooking the site for views of the excavated areas around the pyramid and learn how the structure was built to honour the great Popocatepetl volcano. For lunch today, stop at a restaurant serving up organic dishes made with locally sourced produce to minimise their impact on the environment. In the afternoon, visit a Talavera pottery workshop where you’ll learn about the traditional techniques used to craft these vibrant ceramics which have gained global popularity for their gorgeous, intricate designs. Watch artisans at work and see the craftmanship that goes into each piece of pottery in action.

Today, you’ll make the journey to Oaxaca – a colourful city rich with history and culture. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into your hotel for the next three nights – converted from a 19th-century mansion, traditional charm emanates from every corner, from its ivy-clad courtyard to original frescoes and stone fountain. Situated close to the city’s main zocalo, full of cafes, musicians and artisans, there’s no better base for your time in Oaxaca. Head out for an orientation walk with your leader to get a feel for the city, stopping by the local markets of Benito Juarez and 20 de Noviembre for a classic Oaxacan lunch, then enjoy a free evening. The best way to get to the heart of Oaxaca’s culture is to taste its food, so your leader will be happy to offer up some great local recommendations for dinner.

Today, venture out of the city and take a tour of the Oaxaca region. Visit the Mitla ruins archaeological site – once the religious centre for Zapotec communities – and the Tule Tree, considered the world’s widest tree at over 11 m in diameter. The Montezuma cypress’ gnarled trunk is over 1500 years old, roughly the same as the ruins. Stop off to try some Mexican ice cream – an important part of Mexico’s culinary history, this hand-churned ice cream is considered one of the tastiest in the world. Maybe try some traditional Beso Oaxaqueno – a fresh fruit sorbet – or a scoop seasoned with chili. Continue to a beeswax candle-making workshop, learning age-old processes passed down for generations and the intricate designs that are created. Later, take part in a Zapotec weaving demonstration, which uses only traditional techniques, tools, patterns and organic dyes. Watch as local families craft folk clothing and rugs, some taking months to complete. Here, you’ll have a mostly plant-based lunch of regional specialities. On your way back to Oaxaca, stop by an agave mezcal factory for a tasting before returning to the city in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a free day to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of Oaxaca. There’s something here to suit every interest – speak to your leader about arranging a visit to the Mitla archaeological site, take a local cooking class or opt for a street art cycling tour. Tonight, sit down with your group for a special dining experience with a menu of traditional Oaxacan dishes, curated and cooked by the restaurant’s award-winning owner and inspired by the recipes of her mother and grandmother. Let the dishes take you on a trip around the state as you tuck into a multi-course meal.